17 October 2013

Massimo Moratti: "It's in good hands." Profile of new Inter owner, Erick Thohir

"E' in buone mani. L'Inter va a gente per bene.""It's in good hands. Internazionale is going to people for the best." With those brief words, Massimo Moratti said good-bye to his beloved club after 18 years in remarks at La Gazzettta dello Sport.

"I think that the history of Inter will be enriched by next season thanks to our new international partners who, I'm sure, will contribute to proceed to a series of successes. The enthusiasm and pragmatism of the new partners are surely a guarantee for the future.

Erick, Rosan and Handy will conquer new victories for our beloved colors with the confidence and friendship of our fantastic fans. My family and I will continue to experience this marvelous story together with Erick, Rosan Roeslani and Handy Soetedjo, guaranteeing an attachment and affection that ties us to the club and its fans."

"Today is really a special day. I'm honored that Massimo Moratti has trusted me with the responsibility to manage Inter in a new chapter in its history. I'm very happy for the fact that he'll continue to be present as my partner. The work done by the Moratti family, from the times of 'Grande Inter' of Angelo to the Treble with Massimo, made Inter one of the most respected clubs in the world. For its value on the pitch and for its social duty. I'm a businessman but firstly, I'm also a fan and lover of sport. I can't wait to put our passion and international experience at the service of this fantastic club and its fans."

"Today, we celebrate Eid al-Adha in Indonesia. One hopes that this signing can be a benediction."

Let's take a look at the new head and public face of Inter, Erick Thohir.Erick Thohir is an Indonesian businessman and Deputy Commissioner of Mahaka Mediain Jakarta, Indonesia. He is also the President of ASEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Association). Mahaka Media has sizable media and publications holdings. Mr. Thohir attended university in the United States, and holds a bachelor's of Arts degree along with an M.B.A., respectively.

His father, Teddy, is the co-owner of Astra Automotive. A brother, Garibaldi, works in investment banking.

Over two months ago, Mr. Thohir became only the second foreigner (after the 2011 purchase by an American consortium for AS Roma) to table a serious offer for a Serie A side. Details of the potential purchase are still under negotiation; however, Mr. Thohir has told Italian media that he wants a majority stake in Internazionale. Massimo Moratti, the president and owner of Inter, has also verified that the offer is for a controlling interest of his club.

Scarce Public Statements on the Deal

Mr. Thohir has not given many interviews on the matter. He was quoted briefly by Sky Sports on 31 July 2013:

"I don't know if the deal will go through or not. I don't know, and I don't know how long it will take. There are other things we need to work out with Inter, but everything is going in the right direction. Whether I take a minority share or a majority (share) will be important; we'll see what can be agreed...

The goal is to make Inter one of the top 10 teams in the world."

Mr. Thohir was interviewed on 10 October 2013 with Metro TV in Jakarta after a students' basketball league opening ceremony:

A consortium will buy Internazionale and it will be registered as a "PT" or Limited Partnership.

He will handle the marketing and financial aspects.

He will remain in Indonesia.

Terms have been agreed and the contract is being analyzed "word for word" by both legal teams prior to putting pen to paper.

The Board of Directors will appoint the next President of Internazionale.

"God-willing" the deal will go through.

He made an example of the contract's "monitoring and control aspect." But the lawyers said it was different.

Mr. Thohir also has notable holdings in sports both in his native Indonesia and abroad. In 2011, he became a co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. A year later, the Indonesian made his first investment in world football and became a majority shareholder in DC United of Major League Soccer.

"There still aren't big problems to resolve. But the deal has not yet been reached. There are other businessmen ready to give their blessing to it. It could take another month to close.

The steps ahead more than anything are coming from a humane perspective. Let's say that we've become better acquainted. I greatly appreciated the character of the persons who I met. For me, that part is very important."

On Remaining President

"Will I stay on as president? I don't think so. My family will remain by right. But this is a complete restructuring in organized ways to face the future. Seeing that there are players who cost 100 million euro, at this point, you need to begin to understand that to stay at the same level, you have to restructure in such a way to be able to also face this type of situation. Because Inter can't remain at a different level."

The Legacy of the Moratti Family

Inter legend, Giuseppe Meazza, in action
versus Juventus in 1933.
Image credit: Public domain since the
copyright expired in the United States.

The Moratti Family, first with Angelo and since 1995 under Massimo's guidance, has owned and managed Inter for almost 60 years. Their collective trophy haul was noteworthy:

Three European Cups, three UEFA Cups, 11 Italian Serie A titles, six Italian Cups, five Italian Super Cups and three Intercontinental/Club World Cups, respectively.

In the same interview referenced above with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Massimo Moratti made several candid and intriguing observations that provide us with a look at why he decided to put his beloved club on the market:

"Look, for years, Italian football, and I'll take my share of the blame, won abroad on foreign pitches but in a financial sense, played entirely at home. And lost. It was fed off of television rights and big transfer market deals. Let's be frank. Those items also play a role, create identities and cohesion between fans who are the first heirs of a club.

But today, we find ourselves again incapable of making an organized system, with out-dated stadiums, without a 'format' that can realistically attract global interest. To create a stable foreign market is a long-term process that is difficult and expensive. Opposition to it is very formidable.

The entry of an Asian partner, for example, allows you to fundamentally bring that market home. It forces you to change course and management practices. You open yourself up to the world and new resources in an almost automatic way. More or less, it internationalizes you probably more than winning a treble."

"I understand them; Here I am. The fans: My first thought is to them because Inter belongs to those who love it. Believe me, I'm working and advocating for them. Of the rest, an eventual arrival of Thohir won't be a contradiction at all with the entrance of other partners representative of the world of Inter."

"You know, Inter is like a daughter. A beautiful girl with extraordinary gifts. A young woman from a certain time. You give her anything to make her happy because it's proper that way. But there comes a time when you have to send her off to college. Discipline and education are fundamental to her growth. Only this way will she learn how to walk through life on her own..."

Mr. Moratti's Courage and Vision

Massimo Moratti in 2009.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Mr. Moratti should be hailed for his courage. He recognized the reality of a difficult financial climate along with the benefits that foreign ownership could bring to his club. It is not easy to send your child out into the world; however, wise parents recognize when it is time to cut the cord.

"To renounce the one you love for its own good is perhaps the greatest and pure act there is. And this is what Moratti is doing: Like a father who walks his daughter down the aisle after watching her birth and growing up. Moratti for Inter, and for those who were a part of it, is not only a President. He was a father, a point of reference, an example of style and proper behavior."

--- Sinisa Mihajlovic, former Inter player and assistant manager, on 20 September 2013 at La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Translations of José Mourinho: Manager of Chelsea FC.

José Mourinho.Photo credit: AndhikaMPPP.Please click the image to visit my page dedicated to Mr. Mourinho's articles. There is a rare two-part interview with Christian Panucci from 2011: "At the Origins of the Phenomenon Mourinho: 'How I Became Special 1'."

Translations of Arrigo Sacchi: Former Coordinator of the Youth National teams at the FIGC.